August 2023 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

[JOB] Permanent position - Bioacoustics and Artificial Intelligence
by karine heerah 31 Aug '23

31 Aug '23

Dear all, We are opening a permanent position at France Energies Marines, in the environnemental team - https://www.france-energies-marines.org/en/environment-uses-of-the-sea/. Cool R&D projects on going and upcoming on marine megafauna. We are seeking a researcher in bioacoustics and deep learning to improve monitoring of marine megafauna (Species ID, distribution, behaviour) in the context of OWF developments. Best regards, Karine Dr. Karine HEERAH ------------------------- Researcher - Marine Megafauna France Energies Marines karine.heerah(a)ite-fem.org https://www.france-energies-marines.org/en/

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Environmental Training Opportunities in Victoria, British Columbia
by Emily Welsh 30 Aug '23

30 Aug '23

Edgewise Environmental is offering a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) program from October 11th - November 1st. This course includes 4 weeks of online theory with an at-sea practical on November 9th in Victoria, British Columbia. We are also offering a Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Operator course from October 16th - November 6th. This course includes 3 weeks of online theory with a 2 day in person practical session on November 7th and 8th in Victoria, British Columbia. Click here <https://www.edgewiseenvironmental.com/events/> for more information or email info(a)edgewiseenvironmental.com -- Emily Welsh *Social Media and Marketing Coordinator* Edgewise Environmental Ltd. (709) 770-0492 St. John's, NL, Canada www.edgewiseenvironmental.com [image: Facebook icon] <https://www.facebook.com/edgewiseenvironmental> [image: LinkedIn icon] <https://www.linkedin.com/company/edgewise-environmental/> [image: Twitter icon] <https://twitter.com/edgewiseNL> [image: Instagram icon] <https://www.instagram.com/edgewiseenvironmental> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: *The contents of this email message and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information and may be legally protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or their agent, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply email and then delete this message and any attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, copying, or storage of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited. *

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Job Posting----Seeking Right Whale Habitat Intern
by Valerie Daniels 29 Aug '23

29 Aug '23

Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) Right Whale Ecology Program – Habitat Internship Internship Announcement The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS), a nonprofit institution dedicated to the understanding and protection of our coastal environment and marine ecosystems, is seeking a seasonal Right Whale Ecology Program intern from January 02 - May 30th, 2024. This long-term project focuses on documenting the abundance, distribution, and behavior of North Atlantic right whales and their food resource in Cape Cod Bay and adjacent Massachusetts waters. The intern will assist the habitat research associate in the collection and processing of zooplankton in the field and lab. Fieldwork responsibilities include zooplankton collection through tow and pump techniques, marine observer, and environmental data collector. Lab responsibilities include zooplankton species identification and counts, plastics analysis, archiving samples, data entry and maintenance, and maintaining field equipment. Minimum Requirements - A college degree, preferably in biological/ environmental sciences - Good memorization skills and strong attention to details - Basic computer literacy and experience using Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Experience with database entry and management is preferred - Experience working on boats, ability to withstand harsh elements, and not be prone to serious seasickness - Must be able to live and work well in a team - Enthusiasm and willingness to learn field and lab-based research methods - Ability to work well under pressure Preferred Qualifications: - Plankton identification - Microscopy experience - Vessel observer experience - Not prone to seasickness - A valid US driver’s license The successful applicant will be required to work a minimum of five full days per week and will need to be flexible for research cruises due to weather constrictions. The intern will often process zooplankton samples independently in the lab, thus responsible, detail-oriented applicants are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be available for the full five months and must be willing to work weekends, holidays and evenings as needed. Housing will be provided, as well as a small stipend to cover general living expenses. International applicants must secure their own visas or other required documentation. CCS has a long history of conservation and research work with the North Atlantic right whale and Cape Cod Bay has been a major critical habitat for over 50% of the estimated population in recent years. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone wishing to expand their skills in marine mammal survey techniques and zooplankton analysis; and will offer the successful applicant the unique chance to work with one of the world’s most endangered cetaceans. This internship will afford the successful applicant an invaluable opportunity to work within a well-established institution, with highly-qualified scientists, and to gain experience in boat-based research, zooplankton and environmental collections, plankton identification, plastic analysis, and data entry and analysis. Details of our work can be found on our website: http://coastalstudies.org/right-whale-research/ How to Apply: The application package should include one pdf that includes: 1) A cover letter describing your specific interests in marine mammal science, internship qualifications, and how the experience would assist you in reaching career goals 2) CV/resume 3) The names and contact information of three references Application materials must be e-mailed to: *employment(a)coastalstudies.org* <employment(a)coastalstudies.org> with the following text in the subject line: *2024 RW habitat internship*. *Deadline for submissions: September 28th, 2023.* -- www.coastalstudies.org Valerie Daniels Human Resources Manager Center for Coastal Studies 5 Holway Avenue Provincetown, MA 02657

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Open letter on Iberian orcas
by Naomi Rose 29 Aug '23

29 Aug '23

This open letter from a number of experts may be of interest to the MARMAM community. As many will be aware, the critically endangered subpopulation of orcas that inhabit the waters surrounding the Iberian Peninsula has been interacting with boats (sometimes to the grave detriment of the vessel) for some years now, bumping, ramming, striking, and otherwise interacting primarily with the rudders, occasionally disabling the boat to the point where it cannot navigate. Five vessels have been sunk during these interactions. There have been a minimum of 483 interactions to date. The media have reported extensively on this situation and many of these articles portray these interactions as "attacks" - there are several narratives associated with these interactions as well, including that the orcas are seeking revenge for past wrongs etc. Mariners have been seeking to deter orcas from their vessels, even before any interaction starts - they are dropping firecrackers, pouring diesel fuel on the water surface, and throwing things at the whales - these actions have not only not succeeded in deterring the animals, but the interactions have escalated and expanded within the population (at least 15 individuals have been identified during these interactions, in a population of about 40). Management options (for the whales, in terms of non-harmful deterrence and mitigation, and for mariners, in terms of advice on what to do if orcas approach in the region) are being discussed within several bodies, including the Grupo de Trabajo Orca Atlantica (GTOA, the Atlantic Orca Working Group), several members of which have signed the letter. This letter is not intended to proffer management recommendations, but is simply an effort to reframe the narrative publicly. While many experts have been approached for interviews and have done their best to reframe the narrative, there has not yet been a group effort to make an expert statement. This open letter was an effort to address that. We are still taking signatures from experts. We will put out an updated version, with these additional signatures, later in September. The letter is being distributed by the signatories - via social media, traditional media, websites, and so on. The link below is only one of several that may now exist for this document. https://awionline.org/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/Open-Letter-Ibe… Thank you, Naomi Rose ____________________________ [13_AWILogo_ONLY] NAOMI A. ROSE, PH.D. Marine Mammal Scientist ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE T: +1 202 446 2120 ~ C: +1 240 401 4269 www.awionline.org<http://www.awionline.org/> P Please consider the animals and their habitat before printing

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Call for voluntires Guafo Science 2023-24
by Guafo Science 29 Aug '23

29 Aug '23

*Announcement:* *Guafo Science research team is calling for volunteers for our project this Austral summer of 2023-24. We are* *seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals to assist with fieldwork and data collection activities of wild South American fur seals at Guafo Island, Northern Chilean Patagonia. The field working season this year is between December 5th, 2023, and March 15th, 2024 with the possibility of starting on January 5th, 2024. The project responsibilities include capturing and restraining South American fur seal adults and pups and depending on volunteer skills and experience collection of blood, swabs, and feces, also daily monitoring and behavior analysis. Volunteers will also assist veterinary staff during Necropsies of fur seal pups following a standard protocol of sample collection. The work also includes helping with domestic tasks, keeping the campsite, and assisting with the work of the field laboratory (mainly helping with CBCs, blood smears, and osteological sample processing). Guafo Island is a pristine and large oceanic island with no permanent human inhabitants. During the prolonged fieldwork (2 to 3 months) communication is very limited and our campsite does not have electricity or running fresh water. The weather is cold, rainy, and windy with an average thermal sensation in the summer of 9 Celsius degrees. Qualifications and requirements for selection:* **Over 20 years of age.* **Health compatible with field activities.* **Tolerance to: long working hours (10 to 16 hours per day), extreme isolation (no communications, electricity, or basic services), navigation, and adverse weather conditions. * **Be able to integrate a multidisciplinary and international work group and maintain a healthy coexistence with the group. * **Intermediate (speaking and reading) level of Spanish & English. Work to be carried out in the field: * **Daily census and/or monitoring. * **Collection of environmental samples (e.g., feces, carcasses). * **Necropsies. * **Capture (re-capture), handling, and release of pups and adult females of southern fur seals. * **Laboratory analysis of samples. * **Creation of physical and digital databases. * **Interaction with the Guafo Island community (fishermen and Chilean Navy). * *Maintenance of the scientific station (cleaning, repairs, etc.). * **Habitation tasks (cooking, cutting firewood, collecting rainwater, etc.).* * Benefits for those selected: * **To get to know and live in a pristine place with unique biodiversity in the world. * **Training in fieldwork techniques (capture, monitoring, and laboratory) with fur seals. * **Opportunity to develop a professional internship and/or research proposal (undergraduate or graduate thesis).* **Meet, live, and interact with a multidisciplinary group of experienced professionals. * **Coverage of living expenses, transportation within Chile, and food during the duration of the fieldwork. To apply you must send a letter of interest (1-page max.) and your CV to:* *Dr. Diego Perez-Venegas: **guafoscience(a)gmail.com* <guafoscience(a)gmail.com> *Closing date: October 1, 2023* * Additional information about research projects at Guafo Island can be found at **http://www.guafoislandscience.com/* <http://www.guafoislandscience.com/> * or Instagram: @guafoscience Best Regards.* *Mauricio Seguel DVM, PhD, DACVP Assistant Professor Department of Pathobiology Ontario Veterinary College University of Guelph, Canada**. * *Saludos. / Regards.* *Equipo / Team Guafo Science.* *Webpage: www.giafoislandscience.com <http://www.giafoislandscience.com>* *Intagram: @guafoscience *

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3-year funded PhD position
by Joanne OBrien 29 Aug '23

29 Aug '23

Dear MARMAM Community, Applications are now invited for a 3-year funded PhD position at the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) based in The Marine and Freshwater Research Centre (MFRC), Dublin Road campus, Galway, Ireland. This PhD focuses on the harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena, in Dublin Bay: Assessing habitat use and the effect of anthropogenic activity using visual and acoustic methods. For the full PhD posting and instructions on how to apply, please visit: https://www.gmit.ie/research/postgraduate-research/research-vacancies Application Closing Date: 12 noon, Tuesday 5th September Dr. Joanne O'Brien and Dr. Simon Berrow Marine and Freshwater Research Centre (MFRC) Department of Natural Resources and the Environment Atlantic Technological University ATU Galway City, Dublin Road, Galway, H91 T8NW, Ireland www.atu.ie<http://www.atu.ie/> Confidentiality Note: The information contained in this email and any attachments to it may be legally privileged and include confidential information. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately of that fact. T? an r?omhphost seo faoi r?ir an ts?anta seo leanas at? le f?il ag S?anadh R?omhphost Ollscoil Teicneola?ochta an Atlantaigh<https://www.atu.ie/email-disclaimer> This e-mail is subject to the following disclaimer available at Atlantic TU Email Disclaimer<https://www.atu.ie/email-disclaimer>

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Job Opening: Marine Mammal Conservation Research Professor at University of Miami
by Cartolano, Maria C. 28 Aug '23

28 Aug '23

Dear MARMAM Community, The Robert K. Johnson Center for Marine Conservation in the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science is seeking applicants for an endowed research faculty position focused on marine mammal conservation. This is a non-tenure track position targeting candidates at the Research Assistant Professor level, with the possibility of Research Associate Professor or Research Full Professor appointments for exceptional candidates. The position emphasizes research and outreach/engagement, with some teaching and advising responsibilities. We are seeking rising leaders in marine mammal conservation, broadly defined. Candidates may draw from diverse backgrounds in the natural, social, and/or Indigenous sciences and methodologies, including but not limited to: environmental physiology, marine ecology, conservation biology, governance, law, policy, anthropology, geography, economics, or other areas. Areas of focus may include, for example: human-wildlife interactions; human/cultural uses and values; novel uses of technology, such as biologging and remote sensing; physiology; impacts of climate change, fisheries, or offshore energy exploration and development; acoustics; disease/toxicology; genetics; ethics; governance, policy, or management; highly migratory species; historical ecology; marine mammal sociality. Please see the full description attached and the link below for more information on how to apply: https://umiami.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UMFaculty/details/Endowed-Resear… Please contact Dr. Rebecca Gruby at rgruby(a)miami.edu for additional information. Sincerely, Maria Cartolano Maria C. Cartolano, Ph.D. Marine Mammal Science Track Coordinator Lecturer | Department of Marine Biology and Ecology Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science University of Miami mcartolano(a)miami.edu

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New sea otter fur morphology paper
by Katherine C. Riordan 26 Aug '23

26 Aug '23

On behalf of my co-authors, I am excited to share our recent publication. Riordan, K., Dean, A. E., Adema, P., Thometz, N. M., Batac, F. I., & Liwanag, H. E. M. (2023). Ontogenetic changes in southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) fur morphology. Journal of Morphology, 284, e21624. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.21624 Abstract Many animals exhibit morphological changes across ontogeny associated with adaptations to their environment. Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) have the densest fur of any animal, which is composed of guard hairs, intermediate hairs, and underhairs. Sea otters live in cold water environments, and their fur traps a layer of air to remain properly insulated, due to morphological adaptations that allow the hairs to trap air when submerged. When a sea otter is born, it has a natal pelage which it will eventually molt and replace with a pelt resembling the adult pelage. Past studies have investigated the morphology and hair density of adult sea otter fur, but these characteristics have not been measured for other age classes, including for the natal pelage. This study quantified ontogenetic changes in hair morphology of southern sea otter (E. lutris nereis) pelts. We measured guard hair length and circularity, shape of cuticular scales on guard hairs and underhairs, and overall hair density for sea otter pelts across six age classes: neonate (<1 month), small pup (1–2 months), large pup (3–5 months), juvenile (6 months–1 year), subadult (1–3 years), and adult (4–9 years). Neonate and small pup pelts had significantly longer guard hairs than older age classes. Natal pelage guard hairs were similarly shaped but smaller in diameter than adult guard hairs. Hairs of the natal pelage had similar cuticular scale patterns as adult hairs, indicating the importance of this structure for the function of the fur. Natal pelage had a lower hair density than the pelage of older age classes, with the adult pelage exhibiting the highest hair density. Overall, the morphological differences between natal and adult pelage in sea otters suggest functional differences that may make sea otter pups more vulnerable to heat loss. The article can be found here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jmor.21624 Kind regards, Kate Riordan Kate Riordan she/her/hers M.S. in Biological Sciences California Polytechnic State University SLO kriord01(a)calpoly.edu

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New publication - Tsai 2023 crown Mysticeti
by Tsai, CH 25 Aug '23

25 Aug '23

Dear colleagues I am very pleased to announce a new article: Tsai C.-H. 2023. In search of the origin of crown Mysticeti. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand doi:10.1080/03036758.2023.2249410 Abstract Recent research on mysticete fossils from the Late Eocene and Oligocene has revolutionised our understanding of the diversity and evolutionary scenarios for early baleen whales. For example, aetiocetids are a possible, though controversial, lineage that bridges the gap between the toothed and baleen-bearing mysticetes, and eomysticetids show a further transitional step towards the baleen-bearing status, with the presence of non-functional dentition in adults. However, information about the origin of crown mysticetes, including the most recent common ancestor of all extant lineages and its descendants, is critical to further understanding the evolution of baleen whales. The phylogenetic positions of the Oligocene *Toipahautea*, *Whakakai*, *Horopeta*, and *Mauicetus* from New Zealand remain unresolved and problematic, but all four genera show a close relationship with crown mysticetes. The original and subsequent cladistic analyses have consistently revealed a sister relationship between the *Toipahautea*-to-*Mauicetus* grade and crown mysticetes, and *Horopeta* has been placed close to the cetotheriids within the crown group. This review aims to stimulate more research on this topic by elucidating the origin of crown mysticetes, which likely experienced a poorly known radiation event during the Oligocene that established the modern lineages. This article is open-access: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03036758.2023.2249410?scroll=t… Alternatively, please feel free to email me for a pdf copy or further discussion: whaletsai(a)ntu.edu.tw or craniata(a)gmail.com Regards and all the best, Tsai 蔡政修（Cheng-Hsiu Tsai さいまさのぶ) PhD Associate Professor R508, Lab of evolution and diversity of fossil vertebrates（古脊椎動物演化及多樣性實驗室） Department of Life Science & Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology （生命科學系＆生態學與演化生物學研究所） National Taiwan University（台灣大學） No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, 106-17, Taiwan（台灣 106-17 台北市羅斯福路 4 段 1 號） Email: whaletsai(a)ntu.edu.tw; craniata(a)gmail.com; Tel: 886 - 2 - 3366 - 2448 Twitter: TSAI_NTU508 <https://twitter.com/TSAI_NTU508>; FB: 蔡政修 CH Tsai <https://www.facebook.com/NTUWhaleTsai>; Google Scholar: TSAI, Cheng-Hsiu <https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=AeNkkhAAAAAJ&hl=en>; and Paleo fund-raising <https://giving.ntu.edu.tw/backend/FastDonation.html?DonateNo=28&DonateIOTxt…>

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New publication : Reproductive physiology in humpback whales
by Valentina Melica 24 Aug '23

24 Aug '23

On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share our recent publication as part of the special issue *Biomarkers of Reproductive Health in Wildlife* in Theriogenology Wild: Atkinson, S., Melica, V., Teerlink, S., Mashburn, K., Moran, J. and Pearson, H., 2023. Use of hormones in assessing reproductive physiology of humpback whales *(Megaptera novaeangliae) *from Juneau, Alaska. *Theriogenology Wild*, p.100050. Abstract Humpback whales (*Megaptera novaeangliae*) in Southeast Alaska have been studied for over 50 years, and are largely considered a recovery success since the cessation of commercial whaling. Reproductive physiology is an important factor to consider in studying population health and can provide important insights into the drivers contributing to population abundance fluctuations. Validated assays for progesterone and testosterone were used on blubber biopsies from humpback whales (N = 33 whales, 71 samples) near Juneau, Alaska, in 2020 and 2021. Long-term sighting histories were used to confirm detected pregnancies with calf sightings the following year. Blubber samples were divided into two seasonal bins (early and late summer). Pregnant females sampled in both early and late summer of both 2020 and 2021 showed elevated progesterone concentrations compared to other reproductive states (p < 0.05). Progesterone concentrations in adult male whales (0.3 ± 0.2 ng/g) were not significantly different from lactating or resting female whales. Blubber testosterone concentrations in adult male humpback whales ranged from 0.05 to 1.1 ng/g, and mean concentrations were approximately double those of female whales in any reproductive state. Pregnancy was detected in 5 of 11 and 4 of 9 adult females in 2020 and 2021 respectively, yielding summer season pregnancy rates for sexually mature females at 0.45, and 0.44, respectively. Calving rates were 0.36 and 0.22 in 2020 and 2021, respectively, and the annual growth rate for this subpopulation was calculated at 2.6 % per annum. One female had successful pregnancies for four consecutive years. These results demonstrate the synergistic value of combining immunoreactive assays and long-term sighting histories to further knowledge of reproductive physiology in individual humpback whales, which can be expanded to assessing the health of a population or ecosystem. The article can be found at this URL : https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773093X2300034X Kind regards, Valentina Melica -- Valentina Melica, PhD Italy-US Fulbright Alumna www.linkedin.com/in/valentina-melica-7315453b/ www.researchgate.net/profile/Valentina-Melica

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